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Hanson's career-high 14 K's lift Braves over Astros

Jun 12, 2011 - 11:44 PM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Tommy Hanson struck out a career-high 14 batters through seven innings of one-run ball to give Atlanta a 4-1 decision over Houston in the third of a four-game series.

Hanson (8-4) allowed just three hits and two walks in the Braves' sixth consecutive win.

"He was outstanding. He was borderline pitch-count in the sixth but the seventh inning was probably the best inning he had. He was able to do what we wanted with the bullpen by him going seven innings," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said about Hanson.

Brett Myers (2-6) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk. He also struck out six as Houston was handed its fourth straight loss and its eighth defeat in nine games.

"No matter how many times you've been through it, it's still tough to get through. Especially with us losing games over the past week or so, it's frustrating," Myers said about Houston's recent struggles.

Atlanta jumped out to an early lead on Dan Uggla's two-run home run in the first inning.

Brian McCann added a two-run homer of his own in the sixth to extend the lead for the Braves.

Houston got on the board in their half of the sixth after Matt Downs walked with one out and scored on a Carlos Lee double down the left-field line. Lee was then stranded on second after Brett Wallace struck out and Jason Michaels grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the season.

Other than the sixth inning, the only other times Houston put men in scoring position was in the fourth and fifth innings. Each time was with one out, but Hanson was able to shut down Houston's offense and kept them hitless with runners in scoring position.

Game Notes

Hunter Pence was scratched from Sunday's lineup because of tightness in his back...Pence is riding a personal-best 22 game hit streak...Hanson is now 3-0 in his career against the Astros in five starts...Michael Bourn went 0-for-4 to end his 12 game hit streak...Bourn needs one stolen base for 200 in his career...McCann is the seventh catcher all-time to hit over 100 home runs and have over 500 RBI by the age of 27...The other catchers to manage this feat are Johnny Bench, Joe Torre, Yogi Berra, Ted Simmons, Gary Carter, and Ivan Rodriguez.